Perceptions of electronic navigation displays

Abstract

This study evaluated aesthetics and usability of in-vehicle electronic navigation maps. Experiment 1 examined map displays that varied in the amount of information presented, abstraction level, graphic/colour style and the existence of landmarks in both urban and rural environments using objective and subjective measures. Twenty participants performed navigation/localisation tasks using various map configurations while driving a driving simulator and completed usability and aesthetic questionnaires. The minimal detail map produced better performances and higher usability and aesthetic ratings when using maps with no landmarks. Adding information in the form of landmarks was found advantageous compared to additional textual information. Abstractions were most advantageous when combined with minimal amount of detail. Moderate abstractions were sufficient for obtaining the desired benefits when more details were present. The graphic/colour style affected subjective perceptions. Overall, high correlations were found for the perceived aesthetics and usability scales, however, low correlations were found between actual usability (i.e. performance) and perceived usability pointing to the importance of using both objective and subjective usability measures. Experiment 2 examined how maps varying in their aesthetic level (aesthetic versus non-aesthetic), different colour arrangements, and 2D versus 3D landmarks affect subjective and objective measures. Participants distinguished between usability and aesthetic perceptions and usability perceptions were less affected by aesthetics when the aesthetic level of the maps was low. Colour arrangement did not affect the measures examined. Both 2D and 3D landmarks were found to be aesthetic and usable. We conclude this article with guidelines for designing in-vehicle navigation map displays.

The effect of system aesthetics on trust, cooperation, satisfaction and annoyance in an imperfect automated system

“…Graphic style refers to a variety of design aspects beside color, such as layout, typography, fonts, textures, themes, motifs, and so forth. This finding indicates that the entire style of the map is more influential on subjective evaluations, compared to just altering map colors [32].…”

“…Several studies showed the impact of the colors in the map [23], the amount of data that presented on the map [33] and the overall graphic style of the map [32] on the user's aesthetic and usability perceptions. Beside maps, these effects were also found in websites and products.…”

“…Relying on Lavie and Oron-Gilads' findings [32], three maps were designed by a professional graphic designer (two non aesthetic maps and one aesthetic map). Differences between the maps were expressed in the general graphic style of the maps including the following design aspects: colors schema, layout, highlights and shades.…”

3-D route-planning support for navigation in a complex indoor environment

“…Although the current study does not compare different approaches to aid wayfinding, the approach of route-planning support differs fundamentally from that of online navigation systems (e.g. global positioning system (GPS)-based car navigation systems; Lavie and Oron-Gilad 2013) or human operators. Online systems give directions as and when needed, but do not necessarily facilitate the development of an internal representation that would be useful in the future, whereas route-planning support is to promote the development of landmark and route knowledge.…”

Evaluation of Usability of Maps of Different Scales Presented in an in-Car Route Guidance and Navigation System

“…To mitigate the risks related to the process of divided attention between RGNS interfaces and the road, the usability issues of maps presented by these systems have been increasingly under investigation in recent decades (Labiale 2001, Liu 2001, Uang and Hwang 2003, Ho and Li 2004, Lee, Forlizzi and Hudson 2008, Sheleiby, Malek and Alesheikh 2008 Bulletin of Geodetic Sciences, 24(3): 383-406, Jul-Sept, 2018 Tachibana 2009, Pugliesi andDecanini 2009, Lavie andOron-Gilad 2013). The usability of RGNS has been evaluated in terms of quantifying the mental workload of drivers, using both objective (e.g.…”